Chiesi Global Rare Diseases, a business unit of the Chiesi Group established to deliver innovative therapies and solutions for people living with rare diseases, has announced a new Research Grant Initiative, Find For Rare. Researchers are invited to apply for grants up to €50,000 to support their research into lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs).
 
LSDs are inborn errors of metabolism, rare genetic disorders characterized by defective functioning of lysosomes. While the disorders can be rare individually, their prevalence is significant at a global level with an estimated 1 in 8000 people diagnosed. To address current gaps in understanding, Chiesi Global Rare Diseases is organizing and funding the new call for research into three LSDs – Fabry disease, alpha-mannosidosis, and cystinosis.
 
The initiative’s ambition is to provide a platform for innovative research into improving the understanding of the factors affecting the diseases as well as patient-tailored clinical management. All submitted research proposals will be evaluated by the Find For Rare Steering Committee, an independent scientific board of 10 leading experts in the field of LSDs, chaired by three of the experts, including Professor Christoph Wanner.
 
“Find For Rare is calling for all principal investigators and scientists with an interest in lysosomal storage disorders to apply for this fantastic research opportunity,” said Professor Christoph Wanner, a Chair of the Find For Rare Steering Committee and Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at the University Hospital of Würzburg, Germany. “Whilst we have expanded our knowledge into LSDs in the last decade, we still need to generate greater understanding into the factors affecting the disorders from pathogenesis to progression.”
 
“Find For Rare represents an opportunity to discover new thinking and ambition to meet our ultimate goal of improved patient care,” Wanner added. “The Steering Committee is eagerly awaiting the opportunity to review new ideas from across the globe and hopefully identify excellent candidates to receive the grants.”
 
Depending on the number and quality of applications, based on the review by the Steering Committee, the total number of grants and total amount per project awarded may vary. However, the resources set aside by Chiesi Global Rare Diseases for this initiative amount to a total of €150,000, and researchers can apply for grants up to €50,000 per project. Proposals are welcome from all global regions other than the Americas.
 
The application deadline is October 31, 2024, and the grants will be awarded in Q1 2025.